The other day my husband and I pulled into our driveway and there was a skunk on our lawn. In broad daylight. I don’t know much about skunks but apparently, they don’t like light.

So what was this skunk doing on our lawn?

It appeared to be digging at first and my husband was angry. He’d just fixed a hole some critter dug in our lawn. Whatever this skunk was doing I wanted it gone.

I tried to take care of it myself.

We were far enough away so I threw a rock near it expecting to scare it away. No reaction.

I figured I hadn’t gotten close enough and it was focused on its digging so I threw another rock and barely hit it. Still no reaction.

What the heck?!

Puzzled, I got a little closer and my neighbor across the street called out he thought it was injured. He’d been watching it and told me it couldn’t walk right.

Finally, it struggled to get up and fell down. Just like my neighbor said it seemed its back legs didn’t work right.

What am I supposed to do?

This skunk doesn’t belong on my lawn. This is bizarre.

I went in the house and kept coming back out because having a skunk on your lawn that won’t go away is strange.

I took some pictures and a video of the skunk walking weirdly.

It stumbled its way to another place on the lawn and went in circles like a dog before it lays down.

It seemed so pathetic I got concerned. Is this skunk going to die on my lawn?

What do you do with unknown situations?

Ask for help.

I didn’t know what to do so I posted the pictures and video on Facebook hoping for some help – clearly I needed help. There’s no shame in asking for help.

Thankfully two friends chimed in and made me aware of the seriousness of this situation.

The skunk had rabies.

Rabies is deadly.

Now, what am I going to do?

I need more help.

I looked up animal control – they were closed. Ugh!

My one friend said that wasn’t a good choice anyway. The other suggested calling the police non-emergency.

Brilliant!

Now, what do I need to do?

Follow directions

I made the call and they sent a policeman out who took care of the situation.

He put the poor suffering creature out of its misery and took the dead foul-smelling carcass away.

The stench in the area was so strong it burned the back of my throat but it was a small price to pay for the safety of the neighborhood.

Last year I had a different situation.

While having our family over for a barbecue I noticed a lot of yellow jackets. They hadn’t been an issue the summer before.

Strange.

Thinking I was making big deal out of nothing I dismissed the issue.

But the days following I kept seeing a lot of them.

Why?

I didn’t know where were they coming from.

Until I was out working in one of my flower beds.

I heard them.

Then I saw them.

There was a constant stream of them going under this one bush and coming out.

What the heck?!

Do these things live in the ground?

Are they yellow jackets or something else?

What do you do with unknown situations?

Ask for help.

I started with my trusty friend google and got a quick and sobering education.

They were indeed yellow jackets and yes they nest in the ground.

Being in the ground, there’s no way to know how many are in the nest.

There could be 100,000 yellow jacket workers plus the queen.

I could try to take care of it myself.

Shoot poison or water down the hole.

But the suggestion online was to call a professional.

Now, what do I need to do?

Follow directions

Maybe I could’ve taken care of it myself but there’s no shame in asking for help.

I called an exterminator who came out and took care of the situation.

It wasn’t cheap and he made it look easy but I had no interest in risking being hospitalized for multiple yellow jacket stings – which can be deadly.

A year ago I launched this site.

All I had was a dream and a huge lack of knowledge.

What do you do with unknown situations?

Ask for help and follow directions.

That’s what I did.

That’s how I’ve not only survived my first year of blogging but I’ve grown. Both in my inner life and in my audience.

Thank you for being a part of this wonderful space and allowing me to speak into your life.

I had no idea what all was involved in having a blog. It’s been an amazing journey and I’ve only just begun. If you haven’t already please join our community.

Everyone is faced with unfamiliar situations all the time.

Some we choose, like moving to a new place or starting a new job or endeavor.

Some we find ourselves in because that’s part of life, like rabid skunks or yellow jacket nests.

It can get messy.

If we know what to do when we’re in an unfamiliar situation, we can usher in success.

If you’re facing an unknown situation – you are not alone.

So don’t be.

Ask for help as many times as you need to and follow the directions that are best for you.

There’s no shame in asking for help!

What now?

• Share a challenge you’re facing or one you’ve overcome in the comments.
• If you’re new here check out my about page and join the community here
• If you’re facing a decision and don’t know what to do read this article about making your best choice.
• If you’re a new blogger, read my guest post where I shared things I’ve learned: How To Get Help When You’re a Newbie Blogger
• Share this article with others to help them.

Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

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